Insufficient Access to Dental Care is an Epidemic

December 20, 2011 10:41 AM

Tamara E. Holmeswith InsuranceQuotes.com interviewed AAPD President, Dr. Rhea M. Haugseth, regarding the lack of dental insurance and dental care available to toddlers. Dr. Haugseth believes that if children do not receive the proper dental care, the risk of developing dental decay is high and can be painful. If an infection is left untreated, it may lead to death.

“Dental decay that goes untreated then can grow until it involves the pulp – the connective tissue that contains nerves and blood vessels, located in the center of a tooth. At that point, a painful abscess can develop “and then if that’s left untreated, you could be looking at more of a systemic infection throughout the whole body,” Haugseth says.”

Haugseth concluded that access to dental care is not a problem only for low-income families, it’s unfortunately an epidemic and no one is excluded.

The article appeared online on November 21, 2011. To view the full article, visit